New World Order? A Philosophical Approach to International Relations 3800-NWO25-S
All around, one hears today that the post–World War II international order has been called into question, that an era of deglobalization is beginning, and that rising radical movements are challenging the old political forms of state and international institutions. So, do we have the philosophical tools to examine and better understand the current situation in international relations? In response to this question, during the seminar we will analyze the philosophical foundations of international relations theories and assess their usefulness from both axiological and practical perspectives. The course will cover various models of international structure (the realist “game of interests,” constructivism, the cosmopolitan approach, etc.) and their associated interpretations of concrete phenomena and empirical case studies—such as humanitarian intervention, development aid to developing countries, epidemiological threats, migration pressures, and more.
Drawing on key theoretical texts and case studies—such as the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. President or Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—we will seek to identify which ideas and values, and at what moments, justify legitimate action in international relations; how international law and institutions function in today’s world; what measures should be taken to reduce the risk of conflict; which factors promote cooperation; what deglobalization might involve; and so forth. A fluent command of English is required.
Living in a globalized world, we can now observe the United States—the country that guaranteed the operation of post World War II institutions—openly contesting the very mechanisms of globalization. Additionally, such phenomena as trade wars, cyberattacks, tensions over migrants crossing EU borders demand analysis not only from the perspectives of economics, law, or political science, but also from that of political philosophy.
Therefore, the primary aim of this seminar is to conduct an axiological analysis of various contemporary situations and case studies, that will help to assess the usefulness and limitations of different international relations theories—such as the theory of hegemonic stability, global network theory or cosmopolitanism. Beyond the political realm, we will also explore the economic dimension—for example, the impact of deglobalization and the reorientation of supply chains after the COVID 19 pandemic, China’s rising role in shaping a new world order, and trade tensions among the United States, China, and the European Union—as well as the cultural sphere, including international surrogacy practices and critiques of human rights as a Western centric standard.
We will analyze the implications of these political, cultural, and economic processes for the future world order, asking for ex ample whether they can counteract the erosion of the current system or, in the face of growing internal and external inequalities, undermine the very foundations of global governance. All these issues will be discussed through concrete case studies viewed from selected theoretical perspectives in order to determine how well these theories explain the phenomena and where their limitations lie. A fluent command of English is required.
Main topics:
The new role of the state and of power in a globalized Word.
The benefits and drawbacks of global interconnectedness (transparency, post truth, etc.).
What kind of justice—if any—is possible or should be established in the contemporary global order?
How the international order relates to hunger, global warming, technological revolutions, etc.
The problem of legitimizing war and the techniques of enemy construction.
The question of cultural relativism.
Global political economy and the distribution of wealth on a global scale.
Rodzaj przedmiotu
Założenia (opisowo)
Koordynatorzy przedmiotu
Efekty kształcenia
Knowledge:
Student knows
K_W02, research methods and argumentative strategies of political philosophy
K_W03, specialist philosophical terminology
K_W05, main directions of development and the most important new achievements in the field of policy philosophy
K_W08, norms constituting and regulating social structures and institutions, as well as sources of these norms, their nature, and ways of influencing human behavior
K_W10, role of philosophical reflection in shaping of political sphere on local and global level
K_W11, to a deeper extent the relationship between the formation of philosophical ideas and changes in culture, society and the sphere of politics;
Acquired skills:
Student can:
K_U01, independently interpret the philosophical text, creatively and innovatively comment and confront ideas derived from various texts
K_U02, specify the degree of significance of the examined problem or argumentation and ideas
K_U03, analyze complex philosophical arguments, identify their assumptions, determine logical and argumentative relationships within them
K_U04, identify advanced argumentative strategies in oral and written statements
K_U06, creatively and innovatively use philosophical and methodological knowledge in formulating hypotheses and constructing critical arguments
K_U09, construct and reconstruct arguments from the perspective of various philosophical positions, taking into account the types of argumentation specific to each of them and noticing convergences and differences between them
K_U10, write creative texts based on self-selected literature, using original, innovative approaches and taking into account new achievements in the field of political philosophy
Social competences acquired:
Student is ready to:
K_K02, recognize gaps in his/her knowledge and skills and search for the possibility of removing these gaps
K_K03, independently undertake professional activities as well as planning and organizing them
K_K04, perceiving and formulating ethical problems related to one’s own research; be responsible to colleagues and other members of society, and be active in solving these problems
K_K05 participate in social and cultural life; is interested in innovative philosophical concepts in connection with other parts of cultural and social life and encourages the implementation of these concepts
Additional learning outcomes for PHD students
WG_01, to the extent that allows the revision of existing paradigms - global achievements, including theoretical foundations as well as general issues and selected specific issues - appropriate for humanities disciplines, in this case concerning global politics,
WG_02, to the extent that allows the revision of existing paradigms - global achievements, including theoretical foundations as well as general issues and selected specific issues - appropriate for humanities disciplines, in this case concerning global politics,
WK_01, fundamental dilemmas of modern civilization from the perspective of the humanities.
Kryteria oceniania
The criteria of assessment:
- activity (discussion in class, participation etc.) - 40%
- preparing introduction or workshops – 40%
- creating report from texts and discussion – 20%
Number of absences: 2 in a semester
Literatura
Wybór/Selection:
David Ch., International Relations in the Anthropocene: New Agendas, New Agencies and New Approaches, 2021. Hein de Haas and others, The Age of Migration, International Population Movements in the Modern World, 2024. Mosciski J., Global Climate Change And Agricultural Production, 2022. Walzer M., Just and Unjust Wars, Basic Books 1991. Theories of International Ethics, ed. T. Nardin, D.R. Mapel, Cambridge Unviersity Press, UK 1992. Global Politics. A New Introduction, Ed. J. Edkins, M. Zehfuss. Held D., Cosmopolitanism.Ideas and Realities, Polity Press 2010.
Więcej informacji
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